Last week, retailers were invited to a virtual Blood Hunt Retailer Conference to learn more about the upcoming crossover event straight from the source.
BLOOD HUNT writer and event architect Jed MacKay and Marvel Comics VP Executive Editor Tom Brevoort laid out the full scope of the saga, teased its biggest mysteries, hyped up the lasting impact it will have on the Marvel Universe, and answered retailer questions. Hosted by Ryan Penagos (VP & Creative Executive at Marvel), attendees also got an exclusive look at the blood and gore that awaits readers in BLOOD HUNT’s special parental advisory Red Band editions along with cover debuts of upcoming BLOOD HUNT tie-in issues. Right now, fans are welcome to check out some of what was unveiled in anticipation of Blood Hunt #1 hitting stands on May 1!
The event kicks off when various vampire factions, united for the first time in millennia, engineer a global attack using Darkforce energy to block out the sun. Having lurked in the shadows of the Marvel Universe since its very beginning, vampires are now unleashed on humanity as heroes and villains alike fall prey to their overwhelming bloodlust.
BLOOD HUNT is a saga that’s been seeded in Marvel stories for decades. Recent buildup includes MacKay’s current hit run of Moon Knight, recent issues of Miles Morales: Spider-Man, last year’s Bloodline: The Daughter of Blade limited series, and more! In the tradition of Marvel events like Civil War and Secret Invasion, BLOOD HUNT is hoped to be rewarding to longtime Marvel readers while also serving as an entry point into Marvel Comics for newer fans.
“As we’ve seen in Moon Knight, I keep chucking vampires in!” MacKay told retailers. “And [Blood Hunt] is a logical extension of that. I started gathering ideas and figuring out what we want to do from there, and a lot is keyed in from the work we’re doing on Moon Knight, and Doctor Strange is a natural vector into that. If there’s an Earth-shaking event, the Avengers will be the first on the scene.”
“This just seemed like a natural rise of all of these vampire threads that we could pull together and weave into an interesting tapestry. This would cover the full spectrum of the Marvel Universe in a justifiable event that doesn’t come out of nowhere,” Brevoort said.
On the Red Band Editions, MacKay said “[The Red Band scenes] aren’t just happening to background characters. We’re also seeing our heroes being impacted in a much more violent way.”
“The best page for the Red Band edition in issue #1 is the last page of the book,” Brevoort added. “We can’t reveal it since it gives away too much of the plot, but you’ll know it when you get there.”
Check out the lettered preview and new tie-in covers and preorder Blood Hunt #1 at your local comic shop today! Blood Hunt#1 is available at your local comic shop and digitally on May 1. The Red Band edition will release the same day and only be available in print! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
BLOOD HUNT #1 (OF 5)
Red Band Edition
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by PEPE LARRAZ
Colors by MARTE GRACIA
Letters by VC’s CORY PETIT
On Sale 5/1
BLOOD HUNT #3 VARIANT COVER BY JESÚS SAIZ
BLOOD HUNT #4 VARIANT COVER BY TONY DANIEL
AVENGERS #15
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by C.F. VILLA
Cover by JOSHUA CASSARA
On Sale 6/12
DOCTOR STRANGE #16
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by PASQUAL FERRY
Cover by ALEX ROSS
On Sale 6/12
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #6
Written by JED MACKAY
Art by ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO
Cover by DAVIDE PARATORE
On Sale 6/12
Images via Marvel Comics
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